Fabric Garland - DIY Photo Props - Shannon Mulligan Photography

I've been getting crafty again, this time with a Fabric Garland. I know I showed you an abbreviated version of one from my Valentine's Day Session but this is a step by step blog on how to make one from start to finish.

A friend and fellow photographer had asked me to make her one, so of course I jumped at the challenge to get my hands working. She mentioned "whites, creams, lace, grays; vintage looking". So I set out to one of my favorite stores, Joanne's Fabric and starting pulling bolts of fabric off the shelves trying to get the right color combo! I toyed around with a few different combos, but when I put this set together, I fell in love (as I hope she did also).

I bought one and a half yards each of seven fabrics (this was wayyy too much fabric for one garland so I am now working on my third one...soon to be put up on Etsy!) So I'd say a half to one yard of each fabric will be just fine. This made a five foot fabric garland (with 2 feet on each end of extra rope to tie/hang)

The only other materials you will need are fabric scissors, twine or thin rope and a measuring tape.

I laid out each folded piece of fabric and cut it in half along the fold. Once it's cut in half length wise, I lay down my measuring tape and cut slits every one and a half to two inches apart. This is totally up to you. You can make the strips more narrow or wider.

Once I have all the fabric cut in half and slits measured and cut, I start tearing the fabric. Cotton fabric will tear very easily and you'll get that "torn/vintage" look. You will soon have a large pile of torn fabric.

Now I measure out my cord or twine and mark two feet into it, and then five feet across, another two feet and cut. This will be where you attach your torn fabric.

For this fabric garland, I literally tied a knot around the rope leaving some fabric to hang up top. You continue to tie knots in a pattern until you reach your five foot marker. At this point, your fabric garland is all done! I like to hang mine for a few days so it drops and does not look stiff.

Now you ask what can you do with this....the possiblies are endless....photo props for newborn sessions or customized photo shoots, wedding or baby showers, home decor, nursery decor....shall I keep going?

I plan on making more and getting an Etsy shop up and running so if you have something in mind, let me know and I'd be happy to make one for you!